DEL VALLE, Texas — With Austin's population boom, first responders are getting more resources to make sure they can get to where they need to be quickly. Austin-Travis County EMS said they're finally getting some help they need by getting a new station and ambulance in the summer.
"The residents in this area have been waiting lengthy times for an ambulance and a fire truck and so this is a really good opportunity to give them the 911 service that they need," said Wesley Hopkins, ATCEMS division chief.
The Del Valle/Moore’s Crossing Station is a joint-use fire and EMS station. It will house the new 24-hour ambulance, have a sleeping area for medics, and new offices and bathrooms.
Last summer, the Austin EMS Association asked for the city's help to get more ambulances. The department said with more people in town, it means they've been getting more calls.
Hopkins said the new station in Del Valle is exciting, but there's still more areas that need attention. Especially Downtown Austin, where they haven't added one single full-time ambulance in years.
"We'll need council direction and approval and working with the city manager's office on that," said Hopkins.
Hopkins said it'll be a long time before ATCEMS has everything they need in Austin's growing city.
"I think as we push up against the property tax cap and funding becomes less and less available and restrictive, how you allocate those public safety resources is going to be difficult," said Hopkins.
ATCEMS is opening another station on Monday in Sunset Valley.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: